Following the addition of Joe Taslim for the role of Sub-Zero, word now hails from Rebecca Davis at Variety with talk of actor Ludi Lin for the role of Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat from Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema.
Captured by martial arts champion and actor Ho Sung-Pak, Liu Kang is one of seven original characters that emerged in the game’s 1992 launch from former banner, Midway. The character is known as an exiled Shaolin Monk who ventures into the tournament to battle evil sorceror Shang Tsung for the fate of Earth.
The games’ franchise success paved the way for New Line’s own live-action films in 1995 and 1997 with actor and martial arts star Robin Shou portraying the role. Following suit, TV origin spin-off series Mortal Kombat: Conquest aired along with an animated series, while a third film never got off the ground.
Years later, webseries in 2011 also arose from Warner Bros. Digital shepherded by Kevin Tancharoen and Garrett Warren with the former once attached to direct his own film based on his own proof of concept which leaked in 2010; Actor Brian Tee played the character in a much darker turn for season two for said digital webseries, Mortal Kombat: Legacy.
Tancharoren departed the director’s chair in 2013 prior to commericial director Simon McQuoid’s hire three years later with Furious Seven and Aquaman helmer James Wan attached to produce.
Meanwhile the character has also re-emerged in the latest installment, “Mortal Kombat 11”, with an electrifying new twist on his character that could very well be part of the narrative. Key plot details remain under wraps with Greg Russo penning the script and production slated for Adelaide later this year.
Ludi Lin’s recent credits include Monster Hunt, Power Rangers, Netflix series Black Mirror, and DC adaptation Aquaman from Wan, in addition to upcoming biographical drama, Son Of The South.
Todd Garner also produces with Larry Kasanoff, E. Bennett Walsh, Michael Clear and Sean Robins exec producing.
Mortal Kombat opens on March 5, 2021.